Tag: Orange County SC

Oakland Roots player tunes up before match with Orange County SC at Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine on Wed Oct 4, 2023 (@oaklandrootssc photo)

Wednesday, October 4th, 2023

By Troy Ewers

In Championship Soccer Stadium the Oakland Roots faced off against Orange County SC, who were draped in uniforms that honor the Anaheim Ducks. The final three games for Oakland before the playoffs ran through the OC tonight and the biggest thing the Roots needed was to capitalize on crucial moments. Orange County clinched their spot before the game due to the result of Hartford’s game made the energy feel less “do or die” than it did leading up to this game. 

The game ten minutes saw a major goal for the energy of the Roots as a set piece developed into a header pass from Neveal Hackshaw to Anuar Palaez for a shot to the center of the goal and the spark they needed, the Roots got early and now it was their time to capitalize on such a crucial moment.

1-0 Oakland. Orange County’s attack on Oakland consistently was strong, but couldn’t get one past Paul Blanchette in the first half it seemed. In the 40th minute Orange County had a chance on a breakaway that seemed like it was going to be the equalizer, but a foul that was not called by the ref caused a bad shot and the ball went wide of the goal and still no goals for the OC.

Orange County finally got a penalty right before stoppage time after a hard trip by Lindo Mfeka and Orange County’s Milan Iloski converted the penalty kick right past Blanchette and with four minutes of stoppage time, the game was tied 1-1.

Seconds before stoppage time was over Orange County followed up the penalty kick with a corner kick that Thomas Amang headed in for his eighth goal of the season and with the halftime whistle blown, the first half ended Orange County SC up 2-1 on Oakland. This two goal rally for Orange County is another example of what has affected Oakland all season. 

The second half started and the Roots had three shots compared to Orange County’s ten shots were a small example of the attack chances. Orange County’s assault wasn’t over as four minutes in the second half Milan Iloski’s brother Brian scored and it was clear that the Roots were outplayed.

3-1 Orange County and there was still a lot of game left. The remainder of the game was a deflated Oakland Roots trying to build some type of offense, but none of it was successful. With five minutes of stoppage time Orange County had all the momentum and all the cards were stacked in their favor at this point and when the final whistle blew the game ended with Orange County on top 3-1. 

Orange County secured their spot in the playoffs before the game, but the eighth place Oakland Roots after this loss find themselves at risk of losing that spot. Oakland’s next game is against San Diego Loyal SC in San Diego and maybe Oakland finishes their last two games still in the playoff picture.

Bryan Tamacas waving to the fans as the game starts Photo From Oakland Roots Instagram

By Troy Ewers

HAYWARD–It was a big day for Oakland soccer fans as they got to see the home debut of the Oakland Soul, which are the new USWL team in Oakland on the same day Oakland had a big game against Orange County SC. The Roots needed a win to get a confidence boost and jolt their season and they did exactly that and they did it convincingly.

This game started off with Oakland having a clear advantage on the offensive side of the ball. The Roots had the ball majority of the game and this resulted in a big 1st half, where Oakland would score twice. The first goal coming from Formella who has been one of the main scorers for Oakland and he scored this goal after a Roots push into the box and shoots past the back line and the goalkeeper.

1-0 Oakland. The second goal comes after a beautiful cross by Mfeka, Morad hits a brilliant header that sees the back of the net. 2-0 Oakland. The first half went by very quickly as there weren’t any fouls in the first half from either team. The second half was more focused on defense, where Orange County had more of an effort pushing the ball.

The OC’s best scoring chances came from this half and by the end of the game both teams had 9 shots each and were almost even on possession time. Oakland would score one more goal going into the final whistle, but it was clear that this game was all Oakland Roots.

The Roots found gaps in the OC defense and created space on offense, Oakland’s defense showed huge growth from past games, especially on the back line and this all was the catalyst for them to flourish this game.

The next game for the Roots will be in Sacramento against Sacramento Republic FC, who are the leaders of the Western conference in the USL Championship.